Wearable Maps

I like maps in general. And they could easily have their own blog post on here. However, as we all know (do we?), I like to be hyper-specific. So I'm narrowing down my interest to wearable maps. Granted, I do not actually own at at present, but I always intent to buy them! Who knows why certain things fall by the wayside.


Maybe I like wearing maps because it sort of says to people, "Hey, I like going places!" or in the case of this picture pictures, "Hey, I come from Ixonia/Wisconsin!" Either way, I like wearing things like tee-shirts, and necklaces or pendants, and scarfs that tell people something about me. 


Don't ask me why I care, I supposedly just do.

Antique Lockets

There are a lot of faux antique lockets around these days... which are a complete travesty! And while on on that tangent, since when it is okay, etsy and ebay people, to call some brand new item vintage or antique when it is simply made to look vintage or antique?! (P.S. I hate you.) Lockets should not be commonplace or items that you buy for yourself (most of the time). How many movies and books include scenes wherein some character explains from whom they received their prized locket?

A lot, guys.

I love lockets--especially large ones. There is just something so lovely about carrying around a tangible photo in a sacred silver case. And don't even get me started on when they're engraved! Can you imagine finding something like that?! Or inheriting something like that? Or bestowing your own upon some future descendant to cherish? Lockets encapsulate (wink) everything that I truly love and value--history, loved ones, jewelry, antiques, etc. And oh, to find a lavalier locket (see photo)! I love the extra drop of the lavalier style. It creates such a beautiful shape along the neckline.

Kitsch Catholic Icons

Okay, I'll be blatantly honest and admit that this little interest of mine definitely started with Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet way back in 1996. I think I had to wait till I was older before my mom actually let me watch it though. Interestingly enough she was totally fine with my watching the 1968 version, which actually has nudity, unlike Luhrmann's. Hm.


Anyway. I've sort of gotten away from collecting these items now that I'm an adult (I guess). But they're still pretty awesome. Love the renaissance imagery juxtaposed with modern neon and velour. And yay for bright colors! Bright colors absolutely thrill me.

Pequot Bed Linens

I would never purchase this print on modern sheets. I'm really not into floral. But like most of my favorite things, this is nostalgia. I inherited by Great-Grandmother's bed linens (for some reason) and OH MY GOD. Bitches knew how to make sheets back in the day. You know how contemporary sheets get all pill-y after awhile? Not Pequot sheets! These things have been around for like a million years and instead of getting pills they just get silkier. They're cotton, BTW. I've slept on these continually since I was 14 or thereabouts. I bring one with me when I travel because I hate hotel bed linen. They've been to six countries and they just keep getting better. I only have four, and unfortunately they're twin size (my least favorite bed size) but I use them anyway. Though recent'y I've begun hunting down the same pattern on ebay and the like. My collection is growing! My future husband is just going to have to deal because I don't ever want to sleep on anything else.

Hudson's Bay Point Blanket

So I spent two years in Canada while I was getting my masters and to me there is nothing more iconically Canadian (except perhaps the maple leaf) than the Hudson's Bay Company Point Blanket. I never did own one but it is a life goal (they are three-hundred some dollars).

I love icons, or things that I can buy that symbolize an experience. In my opinions these are the best kinds of souvenirs--like another favorite Canadian (or rather Québécois) icon of mine, the ceinture fléchée or arrow sash. It kind of just screams Quebec.

Apparently textiles are sort of my thing.

I recently bought a scarf from HBC in the style of their woolen Point Blanket (they have loads of stuff with the same design) and I completely adore it! These aren't even my colors and there's loads of cream, which I typically loathe. But you can't mess with something that has been popular since 1780 (when they were used in the fur trade).

Just looking at this thing makes me want snow, a cabin, a fire, a hot guy, and this blanket.

Azurite Fire King Glassware

"Damn fine cup of coffee."

"Fire-King is an Anchor Hocking brand of glassware similar to Pyrex and made of low expansion borosilicate glass." I don't consider myself a true collector but this is the one thing I actively seek out. That, and antique Pequot bed linens--but we'll save that for another post. I'd had a thing for milk glass but my fervor was ignited by Agent Dale Cooper's coffee cup in Twin Peaks [see previous post]. I had to have one. And as luck would have it my local antique store had the exact same mug! Unfortunately that one broke during my move back out West but I've since found more. This brand has a huge following. Thank goodness I'm an Azurite fan though. The Jade-ite pieces are the most popular (thanks, Martha Stewart).

I've noticed my affinity for opaque pastels crosses over into a lot of other areas. For instance, I only eat opaque fruit snacks (that'll have to be another post as well).